Palmer happy to get another opportunity

LAKE FOREST – Jordan Palmer pointed out his beard to reporters, because he hasn’t had time to buy a razor since the Bears called.

The 29-year-old, known more for being Carson’s brother, is one of two veteran quarterbacks the Bears signed this past weekend after Matt Blanchard fractured a knuckle.

Last Friday, Palmer was interviewing interns at his marketing firm. This Friday, he’ll be playing for the Bears in Oakland and he is expected to start the preseason finale against Cleveland.

“It’s difficult, but at the same time, all you can ask for is an opportunity, and that’s what this is,” he said.

It was not a surprise when the Bears added Palmer – he had worked out for the team in June and they needed another arm. But when they added veteran Trent Edwards on Sunday, then there were questions, and Marc Trestman explained the strategy – both Jay Cutler and Josh McCown will sit the final preseason game.

“We’ll get [Palmer and Edwards] a chance to play and get on tape. … If something would happen to Jordan as the third, we still would have wanted to protect Josh, so that’s the reason why we’ve got two quarterbacks coming in,” he said.

For Edwards and Palmer, they know making the Bears’ final roster is a stretch – though Trestman did discuss the merits of carrying three quarterbacks – but this also allows them a chance to get some game experience for other teams to see.

“I’ve learned when you play as long as I’ve played, you control what you can control. The longer you play, the fewer things you can control,” Palmer said. “I’m excited to come in here and take advantage of any opportunity I get and we’ll see what happens in the end.”

Sticking with the rookies: Trestman said Jordan Mills and Kyle Long will remain the starters on the right side of the line this week. “There were enough good things that happened that we feel like we want to give them another opportunity to go out and play a little bit more against the first group and see what they can do,” he said.

D.J. Update: Middle linebacker D.J. Williams remains out with a calf injury suffered early in training camp. Trestman said they hope to get him back in practice “in the next 12 to 14 days or better.” Rookie Jon Bostic has been the starter in Williams’ absence.